2025 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2025 Toyota Sienna

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid, particularly the RX 500h F Sport Black Line, was a $90,000 SUV that aimed to impress with its exclusive features. It sported a unique Incognito paint job and eye-catching orange brake calipers, but its overall design remained unremarkable. Despite its attempts at a bold aesthetic with a large front grille and dramatic rear haunches, the RX Hybrid's appearance was often considered palatable at best, heavily reliant on the chosen version and colour/wheel combination. Inside, the RX Hybrid offered a contemporary interior with quality materials and ambient lighting, though the ergonomics of the controls varied from baffling to brilliant.

In contrast, the 2025 Toyota Sienna embraced its minivan identity with a design focused on practicality. While its trapezoidal grille and upswept body lines attempted to add style, the Sienna still looked like a traditional minivan. The Platinum package introduced new flower-petal wheel designs, but the Sienna's form remained largely unchanged. Inside, the Sienna's interior received updates for 2025, with the Platinum package featuring a new woodgrain finish. However, opinions on the interior's aesthetics varied, with some finding it less appealing. Despite this, the Sienna's interior was considered an improvement over previous models.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid offered three distinct models, each with its own performance characteristics. The RX 350h was the most efficient, with a 246 hp hybrid powertrain and a fuel economy of 6.5 L/100 km. The RX 450h+ PHEV delivered 304 hp and a 0-100 km/h time of 6.5 seconds, thanks to its larger battery pack and more powerful electric motor. The RX 500h, with its turbocharged 2.4-litre engine, produced 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0-100 km/h in 6.2 seconds. However, its fuel efficiency was lower, averaging 13.5 L/100 km during testing. The RX 500h featured a sport-tuned adaptive damping suspension and advanced AWD system, but its dynamic capabilities were hindered by a lack of communication between the road and the driver.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna, powered by a 2.5-litre hybrid system with a CVT, offered 245 hp. Despite its modest power, the Sienna's electric assist motor provided immediate torque, preventing it from feeling sluggish. The Sienna's fuel economy was rated at 6.6 L/100 km for FWD models, but real-world testing showed an average of 8.9 L/100 km. While the Sienna's handling was predictable and secure, it lacked the excitement of sportier vehicles. The Sienna XSE offered a sport-tuned suspension for a slightly more engaging drive, but overall, the Sienna prioritized comfort and practicality over performance.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid focused on occupant comfort and practical cargo space. The RX 500h's front seats, while heated and ventilated, felt snug and uncomfortable on long drives. The rear seats, however, were spacious and comfortable, with optional power-reclining, heated, and ventilated features. The RX Hybrid offered 838 litres of cargo space, expandable to 1,308 litres with the rear seats folded. However, the cargo area was not particularly spacious for a midsize SUV.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna excelled in form and function, offering versatile seating and cargo solutions. The front seats, while power-adjustable and heated, felt hard on long drives. The second-row captain's chairs with ottoman-style leg rests were popular with passengers, and the third-row seat accommodated adults comfortably. The Sienna provided 949 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expandable to 2,129 litres with the seats stowed. Maximum cargo capacity was 2,860 litres, though less than some rivals due to the non-removable second-row seats.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid was equipped with advanced technology, including digital key functionality, a camera-based digital rearview mirror, and a hands-free power liftgate. The Lexus Interface infotainment system featured a 14-inch touchscreen display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a three-year Drive Connect plan with a digital voice assistant. However, the steering wheel controls were distracting and difficult to use while driving.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna offered a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and touchscreen display for higher-spec models. The TAM infotainment system provided access to connected services, including a digital assistant and cloud-based navigation. The Sienna Limited featured a 12-speaker JBL audio system, four-zone climate control, and a digital rearview camera. The infotainment system was capable and responsive, though some features required active subscriptions.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid came with Safety Connect, offering automatic collision notification and emergency assistance. Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 included advanced driver assistance systems like forward collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The RX received a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA but a Poor rating from the IIHS for frontal-impact protection.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna featured Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, with forward collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Sienna's safety systems worked well, though the adaptive cruise control required vigilance in urban areas. The Sienna added a rear-seat reminder system for 2025. It received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, but its frontal crash-test result was lower than expected.